Play is not as popular amongst us nowadays as it was for children when I was growing up. Most children stay inside watching TV or on a computer screen, and some even find entertainment in video games. I remember play feeling like my opportunity to have freedom and relaxation. I hope children today are give the opportunity to play and explore new things.The role of play throughout my life has helped me with sharing, interacting with others and physical activity.The role of play throughout childhood helps children to grow and benefits them cognitively, socially an intellectually.
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The photos above are just a few of the people that I have significant relationships with. These are people in my life that I have had long standing relationships with. The first photo is a picture of my best friend of the past 11 years. From the day I met her we have been inseparable. She is the one person I can tell everything to and not ever fear being judged. The second photo is of my cousins. We have very good relationship. They encourage me to accomplish my goals and are the few people to get me to step outside of “my box”. The third photo is me and my two sisters. Although we are each ten years apart we are all able to relate to one another on so many levels. We are alike and different in so many ways. I can always depend on their support.
With each of these relationships we love and respect one another for who we are. We understand we each are different and make an effort to interact with one another while being mindful of those things. Although there is physical distance that is involved in these relationships, through open communication we are able to maintain good relationships. Each individual pictured above is either actively continuing their education or professionally involved in the field of education. Their accomplishments and aspirations are what help me to want to be a better me.
http://www.easternct.edu/cece/guidance_training_segment1.html
This weblink gives excellent information on the importance of trusting, supportive relationships,ways to show warmth, ways to respond to children and benefits of an attachment caregiver. These are a few things that I think is beneficial and influences child development in a positive way.
Reference
Guiding Young Children’s Behavior.(2013). Center for Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from http://www.easternct.edu/cece/guidance_training_segment1.html
“Our life stories are largely constructed and without mindfulness can prove destructive.”
― Rasheed Ogunlaru
In order to assess young children, I thought the site below gave some good information of what to know when assessing young children. According to Southern Early Childhood Association “Best practices for the assessment of young children include carefully selected informal and formal strategies that measure specific characteristics over several designated periods of time and in many different contexts.Formal assessments usually entail the use of standardized tests while Informal assessments rely more heavily on observational and work sampling techniques.”(Southern Early Childhood Association). This site also gives information on the difference between reliability and validity. Overall, I think this site gives good information to an educator individually what to look for and on how to access young children.
Reference
Assessing Development and Learning in Young Children. (2013). Southern Early Childhood Association. Retrieved from http://www.southernearlychildhood.org/upload/pdf/Assessing_Development.pdf
The U.S. National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) is a national evaluation carried out every two years among students in the fourth, eighth and twelfth grades. It tests student performance in math, reading, science, writing, civics, economics, geography, and U.S. history. This is Argentina new reform to dramatically improve the quality of the education children receive. Argentina policymakers are also monitoring the performance of schools and teachers, improving teacher training, expanding access to early childhood development programs, and ensuring that curricula taught in schools prepare students for the future.
Reference
Argentina’s New National Goal.(2013).Americas Quarterly.Retrieved from http://www.americasquarterly.org/argentinas-new-national-goal-four-steps-to-improve-student-performance
The purpose of assessment of young children is to gather information that will aid in making important decisions regarding developmental and educational needs of children. I personally don’t think the best way to gather this information is via standardized tests. I think this information can be gathered by observation. Observing children involved in “Active Play” is one way to observe biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial development in children. The act of playing will allow the observation of physical strength. Observing children play and interact with others will provide insight on what a child is thinking, language development and how they relate positively or negatively to others.
Natural disasters can be traumatic experience for children. Natural disasters are hurricane, earthquake or tsunami. The effects on a child can be long lasting and distressing. The loss of a home or community will rob a child of his/her sense of security and normalcy. Children look to their parents and immediate caregivers for guidance on how to manage their reactions to a natural disaster. Schools can help play an important role in this process by providing a stable, familiar environment. This helps children return to normal activities and routines and provide an opportunity to turn a scary event into a learning experience. “Immediate response efforts should emphasize teaching effective coping strategies, fostering supportive relationships, and helping children understand the disaster event” (NASP Resources).
The Child Fund International is assisting with fundraising efforts to assist families and children in Japan that were affected by the tsunami in Japan. Psychosocial support will be provided by Child Fund also to prevent children who suffered the disaster from some of the negative long-term effects. “Children who have been caught up in disasters can develop behavioral and mental health problems unless they receive counseling at an early stage”. If left untreated, their experiences can have an adverse effect on their lives as adults” (Guardian News). This organization works to” help children strengthen their ability to cope and remain resilient in the face of these traumatic events” (Child Fund International).
Reference
Child Fund International. (2013). Children in Japan Need Our Help Now. Retrieved from http://www.childfund.org/JapanTsunamiEmergency.aspx
Guardian News. (2013). Japan earthquake: 100,000 children displaced. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/15/japan-earthquake-children-displaced-charity
NASP Resources. Responding to Natural Disasters: Helping Children and Families: Information for School Crisis Teams. Retrieved from http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/naturaldisaster_teams_ho.aspx
This is 3 moth old Mykenzie Williams. I had the pleasure of observing this sweet baby this week.
“As many as 31.7 % of children are affected by chronic malnutrition. Surveys show that half of pregnant women and two thirds of children under five are affected by anemia. Some 72 per cent of children aged 6–12 in rural areas suffer from iodine deficiency”(World Food Programme).The Children Nutrition Program of Haiti, Inc. (CNP) is “a non-denominational, faith-based organization who’s mission is to improve the health and development of Haitian children, particularly those suffering from malnutrition”(CNP). This organization has malnutrition rehabilitation programs, outpatient therapeutic food programs and supplemental food programs to assist Haiti with this issue.
References
World Food Programme.(2013).Haiti.Retrieved March 15,2013 from http://www.wfp.org/countries/Haiti/Operations
Children Nutrition Program of Haiti.(2013). Raising a healthy generation of Haitian children. Retrieved March 15, 2013 from http://cnphaiti.org/index.php
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